Friday, June 20, 2008

The parenting retreat went very well and Scott and I came home with a new determination to truly train our children to keep their hearts pure. I had gotten a "Shepherding a Child's Heart" parent's handbook which is in the format of a Bible study and I sat down to follow up. While praying and studying, I realized that I hadn't really explained to the kids about heart training. Ooops! I can't expect my children to have this discipline if I haven't trained them first, so with my Bible and my handbook I sat down with the kids.

Luke 6:45 says, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

We talked about things overflowing. For instance, if we poured milk into a cup and kept pouring, orange juice wouldn't flow out of the cup, milk would. Whatever we put into to our heart is going to overflow into our words and behavior for good and for evil. We then went to Psalm 119:11, " I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." If we hide God's words in our heart that's what will overflow. We then made fun doorhangers as reminders. I think every good devotion needs a craft.

We have worked on memorizing these verses this week and I have to say that I have seen a lovely change in the way the kids have been treating each other. Just this morning, Caileigh lovingly offered Collin her waffle with the last of the syrup on it but he politely refused with "No, thank you but thanks for the offer" and happily had jelly and peanut butter on his. While I was watching with a huge (and proud) smile, Connor said, "That was really nice, guys!" Ahhh, if only all moments were like those - Caileigh later tried to dunk Collin's head in the pool while he was grabbing for her floaty. But, hey, I see progress!

Thursday, June 05, 2008

On Saturday, Scott took us to a nearby reservoir for a family jaunt. We climbed rocks, traversed a steep trail and skipped rocks to our hearts content. I have to say that my husband is the King of rock skipping - he skipped one rock 10 jumps! We were in awe of his immense talent. On the way back up the trail, I was leading and Caileigh was following. About halfway up Caileigh found a different way up and she yelled to me, "Mommy, I am going the same place as you but I found my own way up! I am on an adventure!"

I thought about that statement as I watched her joyfully climbing with a stick she found. I sometimes think that my kids and, Caileigh especially, have to follow my exact steps to be successful. I am the Mom and I know what's best, right? I came to the conclusion that I don't always know what's best, but I know who does. I know that Abba Father has a plan for their lives, one for good and not for evil and it may not be the same path I have taken. I believe that they'll end up in the same place, in the will of the Father, but that their adventure may look completely different and I have to learn to be supportive of that. No, more than that, I have to be able to prepare them for that as well. Scott and I have to train them up in the way they should go.

So my darling fearless girl, you are on a great adventure and I'll meet you there!